BUZZ Photos

Backstage at The Lion King

Nov 12, 2024

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Jamaris prepares to take her place in the "Circle of Life."

Jamaris wears a lightweight gazelle puppet on each arm and one on her head attached via a head crank.

Jamaris is ready for her second role of the evening, as one of the majestic lionesses of the Pride Lands.

The lionesses' headpieces evoke the urns carried on the heads of African tribeswomen.

Bongi Duma, Sbu Ngema (center) and original cast member Lindiwe Dlamini (right) await their cues in their artfully tattered hyena boiler suits.

Bongi is all smiles underneath that fierce exterior.

Bongi knows how to make an unexpected entrance.

Another change of species for Jamaris. It took director/designer Julie Taymor and her team 37,000 hours to build the original puppets and masks for the show.

Jamaris is ready for the wildebeest stampede.

Albert Rhodes (Young Simba) and Nteliseng Nkhela (Rafiki) contribute some color to the cast's collective art piece backstage.

Bongi is ready for the Act II opener, "One by One."

Bongo performing Act II opener "One by One."

Jamaris makes her way back to the stage for more.

With a little help from Jamaris and her fellow puppeteers, colorful birds of paradise circle overhead as Act II kicks off.

Jamaris—not all flapped out yet.

Jamaris and Antonia Raye impressively transition from animal to plant in moments (as the wildebeest look on).

Jamaris bringing botanical energy to Broadway.

Bongi on stage as Simba and Nala feel the love tonight.

Bongi is back bringing his hyena to life, this time with a touch of shadow puppetry.

Jamaris dons her gazelle headgear once more.

Jamaris shares a fun moment with a friendly co-star...

Stephen Carlile (Scar) flashes a friendly, not-sinister-at-all grin backstage.

Jamaris, ready for the show closer, "King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)."

Bongi's last role of the evening: the front half of the show's magnificent rhinoceros.

The cast take their curtain call. Good night everybody!

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